Bible Pathways 2/19/2001
February 19
Numbers 14 -- 15
Leaving the wilderness of Sinai, the Israelites were led northward until they reached Kadesh-barnea, where, for the first time, the people could actually see the Promised Land lying before them. The march from Egypt, including the 12-month stay at Mount Sinai (Horeb), had taken about 16 months. Now they stood on the threshold of that glorious Promised Land. A leader from each tribe had taken 40 days to spy out the land. When they returned, the Israelites were assured by all of them that Canaan was a land . . . flowing with milk and honey (Numbers 13:27), symbolic of its extraordinary fruitfulness. Caleb, one of the 12, was quick to say: Let us go up at once, and possess it (13:30). However, ten of the spies discouraged the people, saying: The people are strong . . . and the cities are walled, and very great. . . . We are not able to go up against the people (13:28,31). All the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And the children of Israel murmured against Moses. . . . And said . . . Let us make a captain, and let us return to Egypt (14:1-2,4). When they complained: If only we had died in the land of Egypt (14:2), they decided their own destiny. The Lord spoke to Moses . . . I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel. . . . Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness. . . . But your little ones . . . I will bring into . . . the land which you have despised (14:26-27,29,31). This marked the end of their journey to the land of promise under the Lord's leading and was the beginning of 38 years of wilderness wanderings.
The Israelites' who cried and wept all night remind us of Esau who had grown up disregarding his holy calling and had sold his birthright. He later sought it carefully (earnestly) with tears (Hebrews 12:17), but his prayers were not heard, for it was too late. His only interest had been in what he had to gain, not in how he could be used by the Lord. Centuries later, the Apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian church: Godly sorrow works repentance to salvation . . . but the sorrow of the world works death (II Corinthians 7:10).
Like Esau and the Israelites, some today do not recognize the importance of Jesus' invitation to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Me (Matthew 16:24). Although it often seems that we are deprived of things we would like to have and things we would like to do, we must remember that the blessings of God are beyond compare. We now have a religious generation which loves to speak of its rights and privileges and the grace of God, but seldom speaks of its responsibilities to listen to God's instructions found in His Word and to live godly lives. Such "easy Christianity" would reduce God to nothing more than a Servant who yields to their demands, even though they stubbornly refuse to submit to His Word as their Guide for Life.
Shall we continue to sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the Law, but under grace? God forbid. Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness (Romans 6:1-2,15,18).
Christ Revealed:
As God's glory (Numbers 14:22). Jesus Christ is the radiance of the glory (true nature) of God (Heb. 1:3).
Word Studies:
14:33 bear your whoredoms means suffer for your unfaithfulness; 15:30 doeth ought presumptuously means is guilty of a deliberate sin; 15:34 in ward means in custody; 15:38 ribband of blue means cord of blue.
Government Official: Rep. Carolyn Maloney (NY) · BPM Staff: Shelley Robertson · Pray for J. Gordon Henry [Prayer Seminar] Ministries · Pray for the Bible Pathway International Radio broadcast in honor of Rick Hash · Country: United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, & Wales) (59 million) off the coast of western Europe · Major languages: English and Welsh · Religious freedom · 53% Protestant; 10% Roman Catholic; 2.5% Muslim; .8% Sikh; .7% Hindu; .6% Jewish · Prayer Suggestion: Pray and the Lord will free you from your fears (Psalms 34:4).
Optional Reading:
Luke 6
Memory Verse for the Week:
Colossians 1:17
